This
booklet is out-of-print and no longer available as far as we can
ascertain,although the classics in
Catholic literature and devotions are making a comeback.We provide it for you
in plain text [in black] exactly as
published in 1931, including the former Raccolta indulgence days, with
one exception: the DE PROFUNDIS, which is on page 41 of the booklet
will be printed after the inside cover pages since the page numbers
will not be given because everyone uses different fonts and sizes when
printing so the page numbers would not necessarly correspond. Links are
in either blue, green, or gold.

Included with the Novena, are many prayers and devotions for the Holy
Souls, along with the Heroic Act. After the Cover and Inside Pages is
the List of Contents.

We present this small treatise to pious persons, entreating them to
peruse it. Long ago the Holy Ghost said: "It is a holy and wholesome
thing to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins."
(II Macab. XII., 46.) Our Lord shed tears in seeing the tomb of
Lazarus, and the Church, well acquainted with the feelings of her
Divine Founder, is incessently recommending charity for the Souls
suffering in Purgatory. One of her eminent doctors, St. Thomas of
Aquinas, has said that: "Of all prayers, the most meritorious, the most
acceptable to God are prayers for the dead, because they imply all the
works of charity, both corporal and spiritual."

But there are many people unconscious of the fact that charity for the
"Poor Souls" is profitable to the living as well as to the dead. It is
the teaching of the most learned theologians, viz: St. Ligorius,
Sylvius, Bellarmin, Bonacina, and Suarez. "It is true," says St. Alphonsus, "they are unable to pray or merit anything
for themselves, yet, when they pray for others, they are heard by God."
Let us refer to Bellarmin: "The Souls
in Purgatory," says he, "can
pray for those, who address to them their petitions, and obtain from
God help, forgiveness, assistance against temptations, and, all favors,
both temporal and spiritual, which they may need."

Many Saints have experienced this wonderful assistance. St.
Catherine of Bologna assured her Sisters that: "She
obtained many favors by the prayers of the holy Souls in Purgatory,
which she had asked in vain, through the intercession of the Saints."
St. Theresa affirms that: "She always
obtained the favors which she asked from God, through the intercession
of the Poor Souls." We read also in the book of St. Bridget's
Revelations that: "Being one day
conducted by an Angel into Purgatory, she heard a soul say: "Oh Lord,
vouchsafeto reward those who
assist us! Return hundredfold blessings to those who help us and
introduce us into the light of Heaven." St. Leonard of Port
Maurice emphatically affirms that: "The
blessed Souls, delivered by our prayers, will come down from Heaven to
assist us in our temporal and spiritual affairs." The Venerable
Cure d' Ars, replying to a priest said:
"If one knew what we may obtain from God by the intercession of the
Poor Souls, they would not be so much abandoned. Let us pray a great
deal for them, they will pray for us."

Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque had a special devotion for the
Souls in Purgatory and has often accepted the charge of suffering for
them. "Would that
you knew," she said, "how
my soul was replenished with joy, when speaking to those Souls, and
seeing them immersed in glory as in a deep ocean. As I requested them
to pray for you, they replied: "An ungrateful soul is not to be found
in Heaven!" No, we cannot be deceived! If we have an ardent
charity, a sincere piety, a true devotedness for the Poor Souls, we
will be favored with their protection.

Let us try it! When we are in trouble, when we long for a favor, let us
perform some pious or charitable work for the relief of the "Poor
Souls." They will be grateful, they will plead for us, and present our
requests to the Eternal Father, Who loves them.

May God bless this humble work! May He deign to enkindle generous
hearts with zeal for the "Poor Souls."

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt., V.,
7.)

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice.
Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities; Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law,
I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning-watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plentiful
redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

(50 days three times a day to all who say the De Profundis
with V. and
R. "Requiem aeternam
(Eternal Rest)." Leo XIII., Feb. 3, 1888.)

Let us pray:
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, we beseech Thee to
grant to the Souls of Thy servants the remission of their sins, so that
by our prayers they may obtain pardon for which they long. O Lord, Who
livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

NOVENA----------------For the Relief of the Poor Souls in
Purgatory

FIRST DAYExistence of Purgatory

PREPARATORY
PRAYER:
Act of Faith: My God, I believe in Thee, because
Thou art Truth itself; I firmly believe the truths revealed to the
Church.

MEDITATION: There is a place for the
purification of Souls which,
after death, are yet stained with venial sins, or have not yet entirely
satisfied for their pardoned sins. The Holy Catholic Church teaches it.
I believe it firmly. By the light of the flames of Purgatory, I
understand better Thy holiness, Thy Justice, Thy Mercy, O my God! "Who
shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? or who shall stand in His
Holy Place? The innocent in hands, and clean of heart." (Ps. 23.)
"There shall not enter into Heaven anything defiled." (Apoc. 21.) For
Thou art Holy! Holy! Holy! O Lord, inspire my soul with the horror of
sin! Grant me the grace to atone for my faults here below! Thou art
just, O Lord, and Thy judgments are right. Who will dare to say: "Do
not condemn me: tell me why Thou judgest me so?" (Job, X, 2.) "To Thee
only have I sinned, and have done evil before Thee." (Ps. 50, 6.) I
have deserved eternal punishment, but Thy mercy will follow me---it
will follow me into the depth of death, and I will be spared. Oh, Purgatory! where reigns
Hope! There I will say with the
Prophet: "When I was in distress Thou hast enlarged me!" (Ps. IV., 1.)
If there were no Purgatory, where would so many lazy, negligent,
immortified souls go? "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, Who
comforteth us in all our tribulation." (II Cor. 1., 3., 4.)

PRACTICE: To pray the Divine Heart
of Jesus that He deign to enkindle
many souls with an ardent charity for the Souls in Purgatory.

RESOLUTION: Every day of my life I
will pray or do some good work for
the "Poor Souls."

EXAMPLE: It is related in the Acts
of St. Perpetua, Martyr, that, being
thrown into prison, she was favored with a vision. She saw her young
brother, Dinocrates, in a dark place. He was surrounded by flames,
thirsty, his face was ugly, pale, covered with an ulcer, which caused
his death, when seven years old. She prayed fervently for him during
seven days, and then he appeared to her in a very different condition.
He was bright, clothed with a beautiful white dress, and there was no
ulcer on his face. She understod that he had been delivered.

O God, Who has commanded us to honor our Father and Mother, have pity
on them, deliver them from the pains which they have deserved, and
grant that I may see them in the glory of Heaven. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION: Let us go with our
Guardian Angel to Purgatory, to that place where the Divine Justice
purifies Souls before they are admitted into Heaven.

There we will meet again our parents and our friends. Had this devotion
no other advantage than that of reminding us of our departed ones, we
should be grateful to God for such a consolation.

Oh, my father! Oh, my mother! Oh, brothers! Oh, sisters! Oh, friends! I
had forgotten you! What do you suffer, beloved Souls? What shall I do
to deliver you?

Our pains, they reply, are beyond description. When separated from our
body, we saw the face of God, our Supreme Good, the Infinite
Perfection. Then would we rush into His bosom, but we were driven back
by His Justice, we were banished! Oh, no! on earth below you will never
understand our pain, our grief, because we are separated from God! Your
troubles, your sorrows, are the mere shadow of our affliction. But we
suffer through our fault. If we would return to our former place on
earth, we would be glad to accept the hardest mortification in exchange
for Purgatory. "BaNe pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my
friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me!" (Job. 19, 21.)
Appease the Divine Justice with your good works, pay our debts, hasten
the day when we shall enter into Heaven, and then we will return our
gratitude forever.

PRACTICE: Encourage all the works established for the relief of the
Souls in Purgatory.

RESOLUTION: At night, in the examination of conscience, I will question
myself: What have you done today for the relief of Poor Souls?

EXAMPLE: The soul of a pious lady, deceased at Luxemburg, appeared on
All Saints' Day to a young girl of great piety, to beg the assistance
of her prayers. When the latter was going to church, when approaching
the holy rails, she was followed by the soul. Outside the church it
could not be seen. As the young girl inquired the reason for it, she
was answered: "You cannot understand how painful it is to be away from
God. I am attracted to God by impetuous transports, by intolerable
anxiety, and I am condemned to live far away from Him. My sorrow is so
intense, that the ardor of fire, which surrounds
me, is a lesser suffering. To soothe my pain, God, in His mercy, has
allowed me to come into this church, and to adore Him, veiled under the
Host, until I might see Him face to face in Heaven." She
entreated the young girl to pray for her deliverance. It was done with
so much fervor, that, on the 10th of December, the soul appeared, as
bright as the sun, going to Heaven.

O God, Who bestowest forgiveness and salvation, we address Thy clemency
that, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary and of all
the Saints, the Souls of our departed brethren, relatives and
benefactors, may be admitted into the eternal glory. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION: During the long
captivity, God's people, sitting on the shores of the Euphrates, moaned
and cried in remembering Sion. So the Souls in Purgatory, plaintive and
doleful, long for the joys of the heavenly mansion. They have had a
glimpse of its glory and happiness, but because they were too much
attached to earthly pleasures, they will be deprived, perhaps for a
long time, of the celestial joys. They remember all the negligence of
their former life, which now obstructs their way to Heaven. What
sorrows! what remorses! because they have preferred a moment of
pleasure to the enjoyment of Heaven. Then the poor, desolate Souls
accuse themselves, saying with the Prophet: "I know my iniquity, and my
sin is always before me." Ps. 50, 5)

Since God has granted us the power of paying the debts of the "Poor
Souls" with our works, let us appreciate this immense privilege. A
noble heart should be delighted in relieving the poor, in consoling the
afflicted, in bringing peace and hap- piness to those who suffer. Such
is the privilege of those who assist the Souls suffering in Purgatory,
because they deliver them from the hardest captivity and they open to
them the gates of Heaven.

Moreover our charitable deeds for the "Poor Souls" will secure for us
the gratitude of God Himself. "When," said our Lord to His holy servant
Gertrude, "a Soul is liberated by your prayers, I accept it, as if I
had been Myself liberated from captivity, and I will assuredly reward
you according to the abundance of My mercy."

PRACTICE: Perform today an act of mortification or obedience for the
relief of the "Poor Souls."

RESOLUTION: Be faithful in little things. Everything is great which is
done for the Glory of God.

EXAMPLE: At the close of September, 1870, there died at GH, France, a
banker, renowned for his piety and his charity. By Divine permission
his Soul appeared to his daughter, a member of a sisterhood in Belgium,
to implore the assistance of her prayers. At first he was seen
surrounded by flames, saying: "Have pity on your father, my child! If
Purgatory were known, everyone would strive to escape its torments."
Sometimes he would loudly complain: "I thirst! I thirst!"

Fervent prayers were offered for him at the convent, and he appeared
again, enveloped in a dark cloud, but free from fire. He said to his
daughter: "It seems that I am here during a century. My great suffering
now is the thirst for the Vision of God and the enjoyment of His
presence. I rush to Him and I am incessantly repulsed into the abyss
because I have not yet paid all my debt to the Divine Justice."

Prayers were continued and on Christmas night he was seen in a
halo of light, and addressing his daughter, said: "My pains are over. I
owe this favor to the prayers offered for me. I come to thank you and
your community. I will not forget you in Heaven."

(300 days each time for VV. and RR., applicable only to the dead. Plus
X., Feb. 13, 1908.)

FOURTH DAY
The Pain of Sense

PREPARATORY PRAYER
MEDITATION: The pain of loss, the deprivation of the Vision of
God, constitutes the supreme suffering in Purgatory. To this suffering
of deprivation other sufferings of a positive nature are added. These
are conditioned by the number and gravity of the sins which call for
expiation and we have every reason to conceive of them as alike
terrible and prolonged. Though the Church has not pronounced any
decision on this point, it is the opinion of its doctors that the Souls
in Purgatory are tormented by fire which penetrates them and burns them
as gold in the crucible (Prov. 17, 3) until it has reduced them to such
a degree of purity, that they may be worthy to appear before God.

When a fire is raging, everybody is excited. The people rush to the
spot and everyone tries to save those who are already surrounded by the
terrible element. Why are we unmoved at the sight of so many Souls who
are tormented in the fire of Purgatory and who claim our assistance?
Let us not abandon them.

PRACTICE: Let us pray our Lord today to apply the merit of His death on
the Cross to the Souls in Purgatory.

RESOLUTION: I will observe the abstinence and fast prescribed by the
Church, unless prevented by sickness.

EXAMPLE: Two Spanish monks, bound together by a long and warm
friendship, agreed that: if God would allow it, the one who should die
first, would appear to the other to make known his condition in the
other world. Some time later, one of them died, and appeared to his
friend, saying: "I am saved, but condemned to suffer in Purgatory. It
is impossible to describe such torments. Will you allow me to give you
a sensible demonstration?" Then he placed his hand on the table and
imprinted on it a mark as deep as if it had been made by a red hot
iron. This table was preserved at Zamora (Spain)
up to within the last century.

Hear, O Lord, the prayers which we address to Thy mercy, and grant us
that the soul of Thy servant N.N., which is gone into another world, be
received into the abode of light and happiness to enjoy the felicity of
the Saints. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION: How long do the pains
last in Purgatory? Nobody knows. God has allowed some Souls to appear
to their friends and benefactors to announce their departure for
Heaven, but it seldom happened, and we cannot draw any conclusion from
such cases. The period of confinement in Purgatory is probably much
longer than we are inclined to think. Oh! how much combustible
matter---how many imperfections, venial sins and tem-oral punishments
due to mortal and venial sins---do you think they took with them to be
cancelled in the flames of Purgatory? Centuries may pass until Divine
Justice is satisfied and the Poor Soul is so purified as to be admitted
to the Vision of God. The Venerable Bede relates that it was revealed
to Drithelm, a great servant of God, that the Souls of those who spend
their whole lives in the state of mortal sin, and are converted only on
their death bed, are doomed to suffer the pains of Purgatory to the day
of Last Judgment. Father Faber, commenting on this subject, says very
justly: "We are not to leave off too soon praying for our parents,
friends or relatives, imagining with a foolish and unenlightened esteem
for the holiness of their lives, that they are freed from Purgatory
much sooner than they really are!"

Let us consider the purity which is necessary to a soul, before being
admitted into the presence of God! Let us remember the multitude of our
venial sins, and see what light penance we have done for them. On the
Day of Judgment the book of our deeds will be opened, and then we will
be obliged to pay the last farthing. How guilty we are in abandoning so
easily the Souls who need our assistance so much! The Saints are wiser.
St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, was dead for twenty years, and
she was still remembered by her son in the Holy Sacrifice. St. Ambrose
promised solemnly and publicly to pray, during his entire life, for the
soul of Theodosius the Great.

And supposing that we had delivered the Souls of our relatives and
friends, have we emptied the prison of Purgatory?

How many poor, abandoned Souls linger in such horrible pains, imploring
the assistance of some charitable heart. Cardinal Belllarmin has
affirmed that: "Some Souls would suffer in Purgatory till the Day of
Judgment, if they were not relieved by the prayer of the Church."
Therefore, he authorizes the foundation of Masses to be said in
perpetuity.

PRACTICE: Would it not be a holy thought to form, among relatives and
friends, an association of seven members, so that each would employ a
day of the week for the relief of the "Poor Souls."

(50 days each time for saying this V. and R., applicable only to the
dead. Leo XIII Br., March 22, 1902.)

EXAMPLE: Sister Denis, one of the first members of the order of the
Visitation, was a zealous promoter of the devotion of the "Poor Souls."
It was revealed to her that a prince, one of her relatives, had been
condemned to suffer in Purgatory until the Day of Judgment. She offered
herself as a victim for the relief of this soul. On her death-bed she
said to the mother-superior that she had obtained for the poor soul the
remittance of some hours of his pain. As the superior wondered at this
fact, she replied: "O Mother, time in Purgatory is not counted as on
earth; years passed here in sorrow, in poverty, in sickness, in
suffering, are nothing, if we compare them with one hour in Purgatory!"

We humbly request Thee, O Lord, to grant mercy to the soul of Thy
Servant, N. N., in order that, being delivered from the contagion of
sin, she may enter into eternal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.

(300 days each time for VV. and RR., applicable only to the dead. Pius
X., Feb. 13, 1908.)

THE SIXTH DAY
Obligation of Assisting the "Poor Souls."

PREPARATORY PRAYER
MEDITATION: The Souls in Purgatory cannot help themselves; they are
unable to shorten their captivity. This reason alone should urge us to
come to their assistance.

After death there is no more place for mercy, the time for justice
commences. The soul is no longer free to choose between good and evil,
therefore she cannot obtain any merit and her sufferings are accounted
only as a payment for her debts. Alas! to be condemned to such
sufferings, to be afflicted perhaps during centuries! How bad it is for
those "Poor Souls!"

Could we see an unfortunate man, lying on the road, wounded, bleeding
and would we pass and abandon him! We hold the key of a prison, crowded
with prisoners; they crave for liberty and shall we leave them in their
pitiable situation! So we have received from the mercy of God the
privilege of liberating the Souls detained in Purgatory. We may say
that we are the Providence of the dead; we, and we alone, may open the
gates of Heaven to the Souls who are longing for their deliverance. It
is the teaching of the Church, that the prayer of the living can be
applied to the Souls in Purgatory. As your prayers ascend to Heaven,
graces come down as a refreshing shower, bringing to the Souls
forgiveness, liberty, and glory. The supplications of Mary and Martha
obtained the resurrection of Lazarus. Let us address our prayers to the
heart of Jesus, and we will deliver from their pains our dear departed
ones. Shall we not be guilty if we do not employ our credit in favor of
the unfortunate prisoners in Purgatory?

PRACTICE: St. John Chrysostom recommended to every Christian family
that they have a box at some convenient place in the house and that
they put into it pennies, which will be used to have Masses said for
the "Poor Souls."

RESOLUTION: Pray today for the most abandoned Souls.

EXAMPLE: At the Benedictine monasteries, when one of the monks died,
his ordinary meals are distributed among the poor during thirty days.
In the year 830, when a terrible plague was raging, many religious
died. The abbot Rabanun Maurus gave the order to distribute the alms,
according to the ancient usage, but the procurator did not obey. One
night the stingy monk, having been delayed by his work, to shorten his
way to his cell, passed through the Chapter room. There he was
surrounded by all the monks, recently dead, who whipped him, leaving
him half dead on the floor. Early the next morning he was found by the
religious, who were going to the chapel. He related the event, made his
confession, received the last rites and died two days afterwards.

We humbly beseech Thee, O Lord, to release the Souls of Thy Servants,
in order that they may obtain the glory of the resurrection and that
they may be joined to the Saints and elect in Heaven. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION: Our Lord reproved the
cruelty of the rich man, who refused even the crumbs of his table to
poor Lazarus. while he himself was feasting sumptuously every day. Are
they not imitating the wicked rich, who stand unmoved, seeing the
sufferings of the "Poor Souls?" Those unfortunates, who appeal to our
Compassion, are not strangers. Among them there are our parents, our
benefactors, our friends. Not long ago, they were living among us in
the same house. We bear their names, we inherited their lands; and we
forgot them! We abandon them! They may say with Job: "My kinsmen have
forsaken me, and they that knew me have forgotten me. They that dwell
in my house, and my maid-servants, have counted me as a stranger, and I
have been like an alien in their eyes." (Job 19, 15) To forget the dead
is a crime. Solemn promises were made at the death-bed. A child has
said to his father and to his mother dying: I will not forget you! But
where is the sign of this remembrance? Does it pray for them? Perhaps a
vague, shadowy remembrance of the departed comes to its mind, but where
is the profit to the "Poor Souls?" Useless and vain compassion! Empty
love! Where are the works, alms, and holy Masses to assist, to relieve,
to deliver the "Poor Souls?" Those who forget them will also be
abandoned! "With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you
again." (St. Matt. 7, 22)

PRACTICE: After the Evening Angelus say: Our Father and Hail Mary,
once; or the De Profundis, as
a daily tribute to the "Poor Souls."

RESOLUTION: I will endeavor
to propagate devotion to the "Poor Souls."

EXAMPLE: A poor servant-girl had the pious custom of having a Mass said
every month for the Souls in Purgatory, and she prayed especially for
the Soul that was nearest to Heaven. After a long, protracted illness,
she was leaving the hospital and setting out in search of a position.
On her way she passed a church and, remembering that her monthly Mass
had not been said, she entered the sacristy, requesting the priest to
say this Mass. When she left the church a young man came up to her. He
was tall and pale, and of a noble demeanor. "My good girl," he said, "I
think you are looking for a position." "Yes," said the girl, somewhat
surprised. "Well," said the young man, "if you go to Mrs. N. (here he
named the street and number), I think you will find a good place;" and
suddenly he disappeared among the crowd of passersby. The girl went,
found the house, was introduced, and presented her petition. "But,"
said the lady of the house, "who could have sent you here? Nobody knows
that I need a servant." Suddenly the girl, looking at the wall, noticed
a portrait. "Look here, madam," said she, pointing to the picture,
"that is the exact likeness of the man who told me to come here." At
these words the old lady turned pale. "Ah!" said she, "that is the
portrait of my son, who died two years ago. You shall henceforward
remain with me, not as a servant-girl, but as my daughter, and we will
always pray together for the "Poor Souls" in Purgatory." PRAYER: De Profundis

Let
us pray:

May our prayers be profitable, O Lord, to the Souls of Thy
servants, that being absolved from their sins, they may have a share in
the fruits of redemption. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION: How grand and
consoling is the doctrine of the Communion of Saints! While we, in this
world, are struggling for the celestial crown, and assist our brethren
in Purgatory, we are protected by those who are triumphing in Heaven.
We form, in reality, but one and the same family here below, in
Purgatory, and in Heaven. If a member of our body is suffering, all
other members come to its assistance. God loves the Souls in Purgatory
as His dear spouses. He would open to them the gates of Heaven, but
there are barriers. Let us present to His justice our prayers, our good
works, and the obstruction will be removed; God will be satisfied.

It is often an obligation of justice to pray for the Poor Souls, but it
is always a duty imposed by charity and by the compassion which we owe
to one another.

There are in Purgatory Souls abandoned even by their parents and their
friends, and for whom no one cares. Forgotten is their life, no
thinking of it anymore; forgotten is their name; forgotten is their
grave, which is visited no more; forgotten is their Soul, which is
lingering in the fire of Purgatory. How their pain is increased by such
neglect; They may say with the Prophet: "I am forgotten as one dead
from the heart. I am become as a vessel that is destroyed." (Ps. 30,
30.)

PRACTICE: Let us pray often and do some good works for the most
abandoned Souls. Let us be to them like a father, a mother, a sister, a
friend.

RESOLUTION: To offer the abandonment of our Lord Jesus, in His passion,
for the most abandoned Souls.

EXAMPLE: Catherine of Cortona was hardly eight years old when her
father died. One day he appeared to her, wrapt in fire. "My daughter,"
said he, "I will be plunged in fire till you have done penance for me."
Then the child, with a rare courage, decided to practice the hardest
mortifications, in order to pay the spiritual debts of her father. She
succeeded. Her father appeared again, as bright as a Saint, saying:
"God has accepted your suffrages and your satisfactory works, my
daughter. 1 am going to enjoy eternal happiness. Do not cease to offer
yourself as a victim for the salvation of Suffering Souls. This is the
will of God."

O God, by whose mercy the Souls of the departed rest in peace, we
beseech Thee to grant to Thy servants, and to all who rest in the Lord,
the forgiveness of their sins, and life everlasting. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.

MEDITATION: This Novena is coming to
a close. Do we understand the benefits and the consolation derived from
devotion to the holy Souls? Do we need stronger motives to increase our
zeal? Then let us consider that: Nothing is more glorious to God,
nothing gives more honor to His Holy Name, nothing rejoices His Heart
more, nothing is more pleasing to Him than charity for the "Poor
Souls."

To open Heaven to the Poor Souls is praise and glorify God, the number
of hearts that love Him. "Such a work," says Bourdaloue, "is an
apostolate more noble, more meritorious than the conversion of sinners,
and even of heathens."

How we will please the Heart of Jesus, Who loves the Souls redeemed by
His Precious Blood! He would willingly come into this world again and
offer Himself for their deliverance; but all justice must be
accomplished, and the debts of the Souls must be paid. Therefore, He
has inspired His Church with the practice of praying for the dead every
time the Holy Sacrifice is offered.

The Blessed Virgin is the Queen of Purgatory and will be highly
gratified when we contribute to the relief of the "Poor Souls."

St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, will also present our requests
to the Lord, who has been called His Son. He will repay us generously
if we come to the rescue of the suffering Souls.

What joy among the Saints in Heaven when they will see another
elect---a Soul coming out of Purgatory! Her Guardian Angel, the Holy
Patron, will welcome and congratulate her! It will be a great joy in
Heaven. The Saints know the benefactors of the "Poor Souls," and they
will, in return, protect them.

We have already said that the Saints in Purgatory will remember their
benefactors. No, they cannot forget them! They will attentively provide
for them in needs both temporal and spiritual. They will protect us and
defend us in troubles, in dangers, in temptations. On our death-bed
they will surround us. At the tribunal of God they will be our
advocates; and, if we are cast into Purgatory, they will come to visit
us, to console us, until the day of our entrance into a glorious
eternity.

PRACTICE: Give alms to the poor; insure your soul with prayers and good
deeds against the fire of Purgatory. Money will be useless at the hour
of death, but your good works will follow you.

RESOLUTION: I will never
miss the
opportunity of assisting the "Poor
Souls."

EXAMPLE: A pious lady was
praying for the recovery of her health. She
had exhausted every means and made novenas after novenas to the
Blessed Virgin Mary, to St. Joseph, etc., without success. But she was
advised to commence novenas for the relief of the "Poor Souls" in
Purgatory. She did so and entirely recovered. She was accustomed to
say: "All that I ask through the intercession of the "Poor Souls" I
obtain easily. With them I am never discouraged, and I hope against
hope."

O God, Creator and Redeemer
of all men, we beseech Thee to grant to the Souls of Thy servants the
remission of their sins, so that by our prayers they may obtain the
indulgence for which they long. O Lord, Who reigns and lives, world
without end. Amen. V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.

(300 days each time for VV. and RR., applicable only to the dead. Pius
X., Feb. 13, 1908.) The
Practice of this novena is
especially and earnestly
recommended to those who mourn the death of their
parents and friends. They
should commence it on the
very day of the death of the person, and continue it during the nine
following days. It will be a
consolation for them and a relief for the dear departed one. THE POOR
SOULS IN PURGATORY:

A PRAYER for the Poor Souls for
every day of
the week.

SUNDAY

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the Souls in Purgatory,
and especially that Soul amongst them all which is most destitute of
spiritual aid; and vouchsafe to bring it to Thy glory, there to praise
and bless Thee forever. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, I pray
Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel
scourging, deliver the Souls in Purgatory, and that Soul especially
amongst them all which is nearest to its entrance into Thy glory; that
so it may forthwith begin to praise and bless Thee forever. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in His bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the
Souls in Purgatory, and in particular that one amongst them all which
would be the last to depart out of those pains, that it may not tarry
so long a time before it comes to praise Thee in Thy glory and bless
Thee forever. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Blood which Thy
Divine Son Jesus shed in the streets of Jerusalem, when He carried the
Cross upon His sacred shoulders, deliver the Souls in Purgatory and
especially that Soul which is richest in merits before Thee that so, in
that throne of glory which awaits it, it may magnify Thee and bless
Thee forever. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee, by the Precious Body and Blood of Thy
Divine Son Jesus, which He gave with His Own hands upon the eve of His
Passion to His beloved Apostles to be their meat and drink, and which
He left to His whole Church to be a perpetual sacrifice and the
life-giving food of His Own faithful people, deliver the Souls in
Purgatory, and especially that one which was most devoted to this
mystery of infinite love, that it may with the same Thy Divine Son, and
with Thy Holy Spirit, ever praise Thee for Thy love therein in eternal
glory. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, I pray Thee by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine
Son shed on this day upon the wood of the Cross, especially from His
most sacred hands and feet, deliver the Souls in Purgatory and in
particular that Soul for which I am most bound to pray; that no neglect
of mine may hinder it from praising Thee in Thy glory and blessing Thee
forever. Amen.

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee. by the Precious Blood which gushed
forth from the side of Thy Divine Son Jesus in the sight of, and to the
extreme pain of His Most Holy Mother, deliver the Souls in Purgatory,
and especially that one amongst them all which was the most devout to
her; that it may soon attain unto Thy glory, there to praise Thee in
her, and her in Thee, world without end. Amen.

O most compassionate Jesus, have mercy on the Souls, detained in
Purgatory, for whose redemption Thou didst take upon Thee our nature
and endure a bitter death. Mercifully hear their sighs, look with pity
on the tears, which they now shed before Thee, and by virtue of Thy
Passion, release them from the pains due unto their sins. O most
merciful Jesus, let Thy Precious Blood reach down into Purgatory and
refresh and revive the Captive Souls, which suffer there. Stretch forth
unto them Thy strong right Hand, and bring them forth into the place of
refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.

Blessed Souls! We have prayed for you! We entreat you, who are so dear
to God, and so certain of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable
sinners, that are in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.

PIOUS EXERCISE

It consists in meditating devoutly on the Passion and in saying for the
Souls in Purgatory: Pater and Ave five times and the versicle:

Almighty God, with Whom do live the Souls of the perfect, and in Whose
holy keeping are placed the Souls of those that depart hence in an
inferior degree of Thy grace, they being by their imperfect character
rendered unworthy of Thy presence, and therefore detained in a state of
grief and suspended hopes, as we bless Thee for the Saints already
admitted to Thy glory, so we humbly offer our prayers for Thy afflicted
servants, who continually wait and sigh for the day of their
deliverance. Pardon their sins, supply their want of preparation and
wipe away the tears from their eyes, that they may see Thee, and in Thy
glorious sight eternally rejoice, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

HEROIC ACT OF CHARITY

This heroic act of charity in behalf of the Souls in Purgatory consists
in the voluntary offering made for their relief, of all our works of
satisfaction during life, as well as of all suffrages which may be
offered for us after death. This offering we place in the hands of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, that she may distribute its merits to those holy
Souls whom it is her good pleasure to deliver from the pains of
Purgatory.
Let it be understood, however, that we offer hereby only the special
and personal portion of the satisfactory merit of our good works, so
that we are not prevented from offering our good works, prayers, the
Holy Sacrifice of Mass, etc., for other intentions. It is also to be
remembered that, though this act is sometimes called a vow, yet it
induces no obligation binding under sin.

The following indulgences were granted to those who make this heroic
offering: Pope Benedict XIII., Aug. 23, 1728, made the first grant of
indulgences for this act. Pius VI, Dec. 12, 1788, afterwards confirmed
it, and Pius IX. again renewed and specified the indulgences in a
decree dated September 30, 1852, November 20, 1854; Pius X., Feb. 20,
1907.

I. All priests who take this vow, have the indult of a privileged
altar, personally, every day of the year, at whatever altar they
celebrate Mass for the faithful departed.
II. All the faithful who have made this obligation, can gain a Plenary
Indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, every time they
receive Holy Communion, provided they visit a church or public oratory
and pray according to the intention of His Holiness.
III. All the faithful, who have made this obligation, can apply a
Plenary Indulgence to the faithful departed every Monday, by hearing
Mass for this intention, provided they go to Holy Communion and visit
some church and pray to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.
IV. All indulgences granted, or to be granted, even though not stated
as applicable to the departed when gained by those who have made this
obligation, can be applied to the Souls in Purgatory.
V. For those whose duties prevent their hearing Mass on Monday, the
Mass heard on Sunday is sufficient to gain the Indulgence No. III.

For those who do not yet approach the holy table, or who are unable to
receive Holy Communion, some other good work may be appointed by
confessors, authorized by their respective bishops, to gain the Plenary
Indulgence as above.

FORM OF OBLATION

O eternal and most merciful Father, accept the oblation which I make to
Thee, in union with the Most Sacred Heart of Thy Divine Son Jesus, of
all the merits of the life, sufferings, and death of the same Jesus,
our Lord and Savior, in behalf of the Souls, suffering in Purgatory. I
offer to Thee, O Heavenly Father, for their deliverance from suffering,
for their admission to the joys of Heaven, the infinite merits of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, the immense and superabundant merits of the
ever-blessed Virgin Mary, of all the holy Martyrs, and of all the
Saints in Heaven and on earth.

I offer, also, and resign entirely, in favor of those suffering Souls,
all my satisfactory works, and those of others applied to me in life or
death, and after my passage to eternity; and in order to render this
poor offering of mine more acceptable to Thee, and more beneficial to
the Souls for whom I make it, I unite it to the infinte and most
pleasing homage which the Divine Heart of Jesus is continually paying
to Thy Majesty. I place it in the most pure hands of Mary Immaculate,
that she may present it to Thee, as a pleasing holocaust, and
distribute according to her good pleasure the graces, favors and relief
obtained from Thy infinite mercy.

Note.---It is not necessary to make use of the set formula, since in
order to share in the said indulgence no more is required than a
heart-felt act of the will.

THE ROSARY FOR THE POOR SOULS

It is a practice earnestly recommended to all persons who desire to
assist the "Poor Souls." It is said on any ordinary beads.

(7 years and 7 quartines each time. Benedict XIV., Jan 28, 1756.
Plenary, once a month, if said every day. Benedict XIII., Jan. 15,
1728.)
(Plenary, In articulo mortis---at the point of death---if frequently
used during life. Benedict XIV., Jan 28, 1756.)

On the Small Beads: Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.

(300 days once a day. Leo XIII., May 21, . 1892.)

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

(300 days each time. Pius IX., Sept. 30, 1852. Plenary, once a month.)

At the end: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto
Thine.

7. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts, earth is full of Thy glory,
Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Son, Glory be to the Holy
Ghost.

(100 days once a day, and three times on Sunday, and during the octave
of the Holy Trinity. Clement XIV., June 6, 1769.)

8. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.

(300 days once a day. Leo XIII., May 21, 1892.)

9. Sweetest Jesus, be to me not a judge but a Savior.

(50 days each time. Plus IX., Aug. 11, 1851.)

10. My Jesus, mercy!

100 days each time. Plus IX., Sept. 24, 1846.)

11. O Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things.

(50 days each time. Plus IX., Pro Ma., May 7, 1854.)

12. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!

(300 days each time. Pius IX., Sept. 30, 1852.)

13. Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Conception of the most blessed
Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

(300 days each time. Leo XIII., Br. Sept. 10, 1878.)

14. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.

(100 days each time. Plus X., Br. July 9, 1904.)

15. Blessed and praised every moment be the most holy and Divine
Sacrament.

(100 days once a day, three times on Thursday, and during the octave of
Corpus Christi. Plus VI., Mem. May 24, 1776.)

16. May the Heart of Jesus, in the most Blessed Sacrament, be praised,
adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the
Tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. Amen.

(100 days once a day. Pius IX., Pro Ma., Feb. 23, 1868.)

17. The Cross is my sure salvation. The Cross I ever adore [by this is
meant to venerate---Web Master]. The Cross of my Lord with me. The
Cross is my refuge.

(300 days once a day. Plus IX., Pr. Ma. Jan. 21, 1874.)

18. O Mary, who didst enter the world free from stain, do Thou obtain
for me from God, that I may pass out of it free from sin.

(100 days once a day. Pius IX., Bfs. March 27, 1863.)

19. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in
satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of the Holy Church.

(100 days each day. Pius VII., Res. Sept. 22. 1817.)

20. May the most just, most high, and most adorable will of God be in
all things done, praised, and magnified for ever.

(100 days once a day. Pius VII., May 19, 1818.)

21. Eternal Father, we offer Thee the Blood, Passion, and Death of
Jesus Christ, and the sorrows of the most holy Mary and St. Joseph, in
payment for our sins, in suffrage for the holy Saints in Purgatory, for
the wants of our holy Mother the Church, and for the conversion of
sinners. Amen.

(100 days once a day. Pius IX., Pro Ma. April, 1860.)

22. Angel of God, my Guardian dear! to whom His love commits me here,
ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

(100 days each time. Plus VI., Br. Oct. 2, 1795.)

23. My loving Jesus, out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and to make
reparation for my unfaithfulness to grace, I (N. N.) give Thee my
heart, and consecrate myself wholly to Thee; and with Thy help I
propose never to sin again.

(100 days once a day. Plus VII., Mem. June 9, 1807.)

24. St. Joseph, model and patron of those who love the Sacred Heart of
Jesus, pray for us.